89-year-old Local Woman to Cross Off Awesome Bucket List Item

One Southfield resident is proving that you’re never too old to go after your dreams. 89-year-old Hermina Hirsch, a Holocaust survivor, surprised her family about two weeks ago, proclaiming that she loved the idea of singing the National Anthem at a Tigers game.

Andrea Hirsch, Hermina’s granddaughter, described the scene:

“It completely shocked my entire family. She used to sing me and my cousins to sleep when we were younger, but we had no idea she wanted to turn her singing into so much more!”

Seemingly, like anything that gets done lately, Hermina’s story blew up on social media after Andrea posted a video of Hermina singing the national anthem on her Facebook page. “See if you can make this happen!” her uncle told her.

“I shared my grandmother’s video on my facebook walland made it public. I asked people to share and like the post.” By the time she woke up the next morning, it had been liked and shared thousands of times. She then emailed the promotions department for the Detroit Tigers and told them Hermina’s story.

At the young age of 17, in the midst of World War II, Hermina and her family were moved between five separate concentration camps, including Auschwitz, before finally being freed on January 21, 1945.

Despite going through so much as a young adult, Hermina still has a bright outlook on life.

“If I lived through the concentration camp, it couldn’t be that bad.”

Hermina is no stranger to singing the anthem in front of a crowd. As a member of B’nai B’rith, she has sung it in front of their 200-plus member meetings for the past 40 years.

“At my age, I figure this would do it… I don’t want to die before I sing at a baseball game.”

Since the Facebook post went viral, many metro-Detroiters have liked and shared it. Several have sent emails to the Tigers’ promotional department. We talked and they listened! They have contacted the Hirsches and let them know that Hermina will be able to cross off another bucket list item, date TBD.

Congratulations, Hermina! We can’t wait to hear you sing to your adoring fans!

Annemarie grew up in the Detroit area and has loved every moment of it. On a good day, she can be found hiking the trails of one of Michigan's beautiful State Parks. On a great night, you can find her rocking the mic in front of the karaoke machine.